Keeping it Together: Should you take colostrum?

Bovine colostrum supplements: Are they miracle milk or mere snake oil?

Hi! I'm a health and wellness reporter with Paste BN, and, when I saw marketing for bovine colostrum pop up every time I opened Instagram, I knew I had to tackle this question in a story.

So, what is colostrum? Sometimes referred to as "first milk," it's the fluid created by mammary glands after pregnancy and before breastfeeding. Humans secrete colostrum, as do cows. Both human and non-human colostrum contain antibodies and immunoglobulins, offering health benefits to newborns. Proponents say bovine colostrum, when used for dietary supplements, can aid in immunity, digestion, sleep, muscle recovery and even vaginal dryness.

But are these benefits legit? Bovine colostrum's full utility as a supplement is still undergoing research and testing; however, Dr. Anthony Rossi, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, told me its immune-boosting properties can help with the flu, diarrhea (particularly diarrhea caused by rotavirus) and airway disease caused by bacteria. It may also help immunocompromised people.

"We know in humans, but also in other animals, that this colostrum has a lot of antibodies," he said. "The mom can pass on their antibodies for certain bacteria or for certain diseases to the newborn. Bovine colostrum is a very similar idea, in that there contains a lot of high levels of antibodies in this milky fluid that can potentially help with certain things."

However, there aren't many proven health benefits beyond that − at least not yet. Because of this, he thinks bovine colostrum may not be the most bang for your buck if you're interested in it for skin health, athletic performance or other concerns.

Juli Keene, a certified clinical nutritionist in Los Angeles who has recommended bovine colostrum to clients struggling with chronic illness, told me the most promising benefits of the supplement pertain to the immune system and gut health.

"Think of it as a highly concentrated boost of protein, which is what babies − human babies and cows babies − need," Keene said. "What scientists are seeing from the studies is that it's especially aligned with the immune system."

Learn more about colostrum here, and check out more insightful reads below.